Chapter 52 Zheng Han

Chapter 52 Zheng Han

By the time Yun He was released from the principal's office by the furious educator, the school was already empty, dismissed for the day.

With a resentful glance at Yun He, Zhang Peng left without even retrieving his backpack from the classroom.

Yun He returned to the deserted classroom and glanced into Zheng Han's desk compartment, where his school bag still remained.

Yun He made a phone call to Zheng Han, but there was no answer.

Yun He sent another message: "Are you still at school?"

No one replied to his message either, so Yun He flipped on his phone's camera and examined his cheek. The left side of his face still bore a faint redness and swelling, a souvenir from Zhang Peng's fist. However, Zhang Peng's shoulder was likely to be sporting a large bruise by now too.

Yun He lingered in the classroom for a while longer but still didn't receive a reply from Zheng Han. He picked up his bag and slowly made his way towards the entrance of San Zhong School. The events of the day had unfolded too abruptly, and he hadn't had a chance to exchange a single word with Gu Jiabei all afternoon. For some reason, he now felt an overwhelming desire to see Gu Jiabei, even though he knew that Gu Jiabei was still in class at this time, he couldn't help but head in the direction of San Zhong.

Yun He still entered the milk tea shop by the entrance of No. 3 High School. He sat in the shop, lost in thought as he gazed in the direction of the school gate. After a while, he took out his phone and called Wang Xiaomi.

"Mi Xiao, it's me," Yun He's voice had unconsciously turned husky.

"Yun He, is there something on your mind?" Wang Xiaomi asked.

"I..." Yun He was aware of Wang Xiaomi's well-informed nature and there were certain matters he wished to clarify: "You are aware of Zheng Han's situation, aren't you?"

Sigh... "By the end of school, I suppose the whole campus will be aware of it. Someone must have posted secretly taken photos on the school's platform. It's said that even the principal is now informed. The post might have been deleted, but the news has already spread among the students," Wang Xiaomi lamented.

"Well... what do people here think about homosexuality?" Yun He swallowed, moistening his dry throat.

"Yun He," Wang Xiaomi's voice was grave. "I'm only telling you this because we're desk partners. People generally don't have a high tolerance for homosexuality. Back then, jokes were made about you and Gu Jiabei, but they were just that – jokes. Nobody took them seriously. But if something like this actually happens in real life, it's an entirely different matter. It's like the difference between fairy tales and reality. In fairy tales, everything is beautiful, but when it's brought into reality, it becomes gossip and scandal. Do you understand?"

"Moreover, we are students, the school authorities would not allow such a thing to happen. I heard that the principal held a special meeting today, and there might be some actions taken against Zheng Han..." Wang Xiaomi didn't continue further.

"You truly are an omniscient one... You know everything, don't you?" Yun He smiled wryly, attempting to alleviate the oppressive atmosphere.

"I know you care about Zheng Han, but there are some things..." Wang Xiaomi didn't finish, but Yun He understood everything.

"Thank you, Xiaomi," Yun He said, "But I think Zheng Han hasn't done anything wrong. If there is a mistake, it's about falling in love too early, but it has nothing to do with gender."

"Sigh, alright, Yun He."

"Goodbye, Xiaomi." Yun He hung up the call, feeling an even heavier weight on his heart than before the conversation.

He knew Wang Xiaomi was right. Whether it was from the comments on the post or the derogatory words from Zhang Peng and his group, the term "gay" seemed like a filthy plaster, repelling or provoking hatred in those who encountered it.

The society's tolerance for this group might be limited to a small fraction of people, but the majority showed no interest in understanding or caring. Their instinctive reaction was either to consider it deviant or disgusting. Some were curious, but that curiosity stemmed from a desire to pry, exploiting others' privacy for their own amusement, without concern for the harm it might cause.

Yun He massaged his temples forcefully; he felt a headache coming on.

He sat in the milk tea shop until Gu Jiabei finished school. When he saw Gu Jiabei's figure appear at the school gate, Yun He yearned to rush over and embrace him, as if only through feeling his warmth and scent would he find solace. But he eventually suppressed that impulse, not wanting to draw too much attention at such a sensitive time.

Yun He stepped out of the shop slowly and stopped a few meters away from Gu Jiabei. After bidding farewell to his classmates, Gu Jiabei strolled in Yun He's direction.

"What's up? Didn't you ride your bike today?" Gu Jiabei reached Yun He, instinctively draping his arm around his shoulder.

Yun He instinctively dodged.

Gu Jiabei frowned. "Why are you avoiding me?"

"No... it's just that there are a bit too many people..." Yun He replied.

"What's wrong with being around people? I just put my arm around you, nothing to be ashamed of. Why are you so sensitive today?" Gu Jiabei looked at Yun He in confusion.

"Never mind... Let's go home." Yun He didn't dodge this time, allowing Gu Jiabei to rest his arm on his shoulder.

Due to the darkness and their position under the shade of a large tree, Yun He's swollen cheek was less noticeable after a few hours. Gu Jiabei didn't notice anything unusual about Yun He, but he sensed that something was off. However, with his own preoccupations, he didn't dwell too much on it, and they walked in silence for a while.

"That—"

"That—"

Suddenly, both of them spoke at the same time.

"You go first," Yun He said, looking at Gu Jiabei.

"Alright." Gu Jiabei continued, "The school has selected me to participate in the preliminary round of the Olympic Mathematics competition. There will be intensive training beforehand, so I might be out of town for a few days."

"Olympic Mathematics, Gu Jiabei, you're amazing," Yun He smiled, though his heart still felt heavy.

Gu Jiabei didn't comment further, his expression unreadable as they continued walking together.

"What about you?" Gu Jiabei inquired.

"Hmm?"

"What were you going to say?" Gu Jiabei furrowed his brow and glanced at Yun He. "You seem a bit distracted today."

"Oh, no, I have a bit of a headache, and I might not be in the best condition..." Yun He said. He had intended to talk to Gu Jiabei about Zheng Han, but seeing that Gu Jiabei did not mention Zheng Mo, he assumed that the matter had not yet spread to the third middle school, and since he just heard that Gu Jiabei was going to participate in the Olympiad preliminary competition, he did not want this matter to affect him.

After all, Zheng Han is not the only homosexual; what if Gu Jiabei is worried about being bullied and ostracized at school, which could distract him from his exams...?

Thus, Yun He ultimately decided to keep his thoughts to himself. "What I wanted to say just now was that my head hurts today... I want to go to bed early."

"But why did you still come pick me up? Wouldn't it be better if you rested at home earlier?" Gu Jiabei's tone softened significantly.

"It's alright. I can only sleep soundly after picking you up."

"I'm not going anywhere." Gently, Gu Jiabei drew Yun He closer into his embrace.

Yun He shook his head. "I don't know, sometimes I just feel uneasy inside..."

"Is it because I haven't given you enough security, or do you simply overthink too easily?" Gu Jiabei asked Yun He earnestly.

"It's my own issue..." Yun He replied.

"I'm sorry, darling. I'll be away for a while, and during this time, I won't be able to attend to your feelings. But I will come back. Just remember that," Gu Jiabei whispered. He could sense that every time they faced separation, Yun He's mood would darken, and he believed it would be no different this time.

"Alright." Yun He nodded. "Focus on your exams. I'll be waiting for your return."

"Alright." Gu Jiabei spoke calmly, though the weight in his heart was no less than Yun He's.

On the following day, Yun He arrived at the classroom early, for Zheng Han had not responded to him at all the previous night, causing him to worry about Zheng Han and come earlier than usual.

Upon entering the classroom, he was immediately struck by the scene before him. On Zheng Han's desk, various scribbles were made with markers and colored pens, including derogatory terms such as "homosexual," "shameless," "closeted," "disgusting," and "perverted," which were glaringly conspicuous and boldly written.

Yun He's desk was inevitably caught in the crossfire, with phrases like "homosexual deskmate" even being written on it. Moreover, the books inside Zheng Han's desk were casually rummaged through, adorned with various doodles.

Yun He surveyed the classroom, noting that only a few classmates had arrived, yet each of them was gazing at him.

"Yun He, it was like this when we arrived. It wasn't us who did this," a boy in the classroom said.

"Yes... Who could have done this? Isn't it a bit excessive?" another girl commented.

"Even if I can't accept homosexuality, I will not take advantage of someone in a difficult situation. I will just avoid Zheng Han in the future," said another boy.

These students were all rather well-behaved and academically inclined in the class. Yun He believed that they wouldn't engage in such matters. Right at this moment, Zhang Peng entered the classroom with a few boys, laughing and joking. They immediately noticed Yun He standing by the desks with an enraged gaze. "Scram, stop blocking the way," Zhang Peng said playfully.

Yun He stood in the corridor between desks, directly obstructing Zhang Peng's path.

"Was it you?" Yun He asked, his fists clenched, each word enunciated deliberately.

"What on earth?" Zhang Peng feigned a look of bewilderment, then glanced at Zheng Han's desk, his expression exaggerated as he said, "Oh my, who is so talented, writing it so... so... what's that idiom again?"

"Every word is a gem!" a boy behind Zhang Peng chimed in with a smug tone.

"Aha! Every word is a gem, hahaha, damn, you're so erudite!" Zhang Peng and the other boys burst into laughter.

Yun He promptly stepped forward and seized Zhang Peng's collar. "Didn't you get enough of a beating yesterday?"

"Yun He, are you seriously involved with that pretty boy?" Zheng Peng smirked lasciviously. "Otherwise, why would you be so concerned about his affairs?"

"I'm warning you, watch your tongue!" Yun He's fingers turned white from the force of his grip. "Your face is what's disgusting and perverted! Do you understand?!"

The smile on Zhang Peng's face vanished instantly, replaced by a malevolent expression. "Say that again, you son of a bitch?!"

More students from the class started to arrive, all watching the scene in the center of the room, unsure of how to react. None dared to intervene or risk unnecessary trouble.

"I said you're not just twisted, disgusting! You're also deaf and stupid!" Yun He spat out angrily.

Zhang Peng's face flickered with various emotions, but he eventually managed to regain his composure. He spoke in a sarcastic tone, "Yun He, I won't fight you. I still want to graduate peacefully. Not everyone is so fortunate. Some might not even have the chance to graduate at all."

"Then mind your tongue, or I'll ensure you don't graduate in one piece!" Yun He released his grip on Zhang Peng's collar indignantly and gave him a push.

"Yun He..." A voice, though soft, rang clearly within the classroom.

Everyone turned their gazes towards the door, it was Zheng Han who had arrived.

In the scrutinizing gaze of everyone, Zheng Han approached Yun He with a sense of unease. He glanced at the tense atmosphere between Yun He and Zhang Peng and then at the doodles on his own desk. His lips trembled slightly, but he looked at Yun He resolutely and said, "Yun He, the teacher will be here soon, let's sit down."

"Very well," Yun He nods.

Zheng Peng sneered at Zheng Han and then returned to his seat. Seeing this, the classmates in the class started whispering to each other again.

As soon as Zheng Han's bottom touched the seat, he frowned and stood up again.

"What's wrong?" Yun He asked, anxiety threading his voice.

"Bottom... on the chair..." Zheng Han glanced at the seat: "There's glue on it."

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"No! Don't go over there!" Zheng Han quickly grabbed Yun He's arm, "Yun He, don't cause any conflict with everyone... for my sake."

"But they've gone too far!"

"It's alright... I can endure... It will pass soon..." Zheng Han's voice was always soft, much like his person, reserved and quiet.

"How could one endure something like this? Why should one endure it?"

"Yun He... please..." Zheng Han looked at Yun He, his eyes filled with cautious entreaty: "I don't want my issues to cause you any trouble... I don't want everyone to notice me... Anyway, graduation is just around the corner... I can endure it..."

Yun He paused for a few seconds before nodding silently.

"Thank you..." Zheng Han exhaled in relief, then pulled out some tissue paper from the desk drawer to wipe off the glue from the chair. The tissue paper got stuck to the chair, leaving a mess everywhere, looking quite disheveled.

Yun He took out a stack of exam papers from his desk compartment and placed them on Zheng Han's chair: "Sit on this."

"Thank you, Yun He..."

The doodles on the table were indelible, so Zheng Han spread his books across the table to cover them up. Alas, many of the books were also filled with various offensive remarks.

"No worries, once I get back, I'll just order some new textbooks online," Zheng Han comforted Yun He instead.

"What did your homeroom teacher say to you yesterday? Is there anything going on at home..."

The headteacher didn't say much, just asked me to invite... invite my parents... A hint of nervousness appeared in Zheng Han's eyes.

"And you...?"

"My parents are quite busy with their work and they're currently out of town. Our class teacher called them, but didn't disclose any details over the phone. They just mentioned that it would be best for them to have a face-to-face conversation as soon as their schedules allow."

"What kind of person is your father?" Yun He asked.

"He... he is someone who values his dignity very much..." Zheng Han's eyes could no longer conceal his anxiety.

Yun He's heart sank as well.

"How is your brother doing?" Yun He felt like he was being overly inquisitive, but he just couldn't help but ask.

"Brother... I'm not sure... I haven't been able to reach him by phone since yesterday afternoon. I went to his school to look for him, and his classmates said he had asked for leave and went home in the afternoon..." Zheng Han furrowed his brows, his face showing a look of concern: "But judging by the way his classmates acted, it seems like they don't know about this... Brother might really have just taken leave, but why can't I get in touch with him? It's so strange... If I still can't reach him today, I plan to go to his house after school to find him."

"The news about your brother seems to have remained undisclosed in No. 3 High School. Gu Jiabei likely hasn't heard about it. Perhaps your brother genuinely had to ask for leave due to some matter." Yun He attempted to reassure him.

In no time, the homeroom teacher came in for the class and was taken aback upon seeing Zheng Han's desk. Then, addressing the students in the class, the teacher said: "You are all still young, and many of your concepts are not yet fully formed. However, regardless of the circumstances, resorting to personal attacks is not the right approach. After all, you are all individuals receiving education, and you should have a sense of right and wrong, as well as moral values, shouldn't you?"

"I won't go into details. I merely wish for my students to hold their heads high wherever they go, free from scorn and criticism. You will all eventually step into society, where human hearts can be treacherous. But I don't want any of you to become part of that treachery."

"I aspire for my students to be individuals who courageously embrace their own choices, and also those who respect and embrace the diversity in others."

Yun He observed Zheng Han gently biting his lip, bowing his head in a display of restrained emotion.

For the first time, Yun He found his homeroom teacher appearing less intimidating.

Yet, it turned out that not all students heeded their teachers' words; otherwise, there wouldn't be a distinction between top and bottom performers. The disparity in qualities among students was indeed evident.

Throughout the day, numerous students made a special effort to pass by the entrance of Yun He's classroom, casting furtive glances inside. Some of the more daring ones would even point at Zheng Han sitting in the classroom and exclaim, "See him? See him? That's the one..."

"Wow, as fair and delicate as a young maiden, this kind of person is most susceptible to being attracted to the same gender."

"Is he Zheng Han?"

"Lower your voice, don't let him hear us..."

"What's the big deal? He dared to do it, but he doesn't dare to admit it?"

Zheng Han felt like an animal on display in a zoo, subject to the feigned passing and discussions of students from different classes. Yun He remembered that it seemed from that day on, Zheng Han rarely lifted his head, burying himself like an ostrich.

Yet, with remarkable resilience, he said to Yun He, "It's alright. As long as I endure, everything will pass."